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Solution hybridization assay for detecting genetically engineered microorganisms in environmental samples.

A solution hybridization method was developed for detecting genetically engineered microorganisms in environmental samples. The detection method involves recovery of DNA from the microbial community of an environmental sample followed by hybridization in solution with a radiolabeled RNA gene probe. After nuclease digestion of non-hybridized probe RNA, the DNA-RNA hybrids formed in the solution hybridization reaction are separated by sephadex or hydroxyapatite column chromatography and detected by liquid scintillation counting. Using solution hybridization-gene probe detection, as few as 100-1000 target cells per gram sediment sample of a 2,4,5-T-degrading genetically engineered microorganisms could be detected.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Incidence of Down's syndrome in Sweden during the years 1968-1977.

The incidence of Down's syndrome has been studied among children born in Sweden during the years 1968-1977. The risk for mothers of different ages of bearing such a child did not change during these years. This does not exclude that a change in incidence might have occurred in smaller areas of the country but escaped detection for statistical reasons. A higher than expected number of children with Down's syndrome were born in a few communities, which most likely is a chance event. No correlation could be detected between the incidence of Down's syndrome and a number of socioeconomic variables. The correlation with maternal age was studied in detail. There was a significant excess of males among both the newborn children with Down's syndrome and fetuses with trisomy 21 aborted after prenatal diagnosis. A similar tendency was found among the cases with a chromosome mosaicism but not among those with a translocation. Two hypotheses are put forward to explain the excess of males with trisomy 21.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiological study of Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis in a rural village in Yucatan state, Mexico.

A survey to detect human taeniasis and cysticercosis was conducted in a community in Yucatan state, Mexico, an area endemic for Taenia solium. Information on the environmental, demographic and risk factors associated with transmission of T. solium within the community was recorded on questionnaires. Although no Taenia eggs or proglottides were found in the initial faecal samples collected from each of the 475 subjects, the results of a capture-ELISA for T. solium coproantigen were positive for 10 of the subjects (of both genders and various ages). After treatment with niclosamide, proglottides were detected in purge samples from seven of these 10 subjects. The prevalence of parasitologically confirmed taeniasis was therefore 1.5% (seven in 475). The other three ELISA-positive cases delayed supplying faecal material post-treatment, and it is nuclear whether they had expelled proglottides before providing the samples. All 10 ELISA-positive subjects became ELISA-negative after treatment. Seroprevalence of human cysticercosis, based on the detection in immunoblots of antibodies to antigens of 8- and 26-kDa from a crude saline extract of T. solium metacestodes, was 3.7% (i.e. five positives out of 134 subjects). None of the seropositive cases demonstrated clinical symptoms of infection. Again, the positive cases were of both genders and various ages. Although tongue palpation indicated that 17 (23%) of 75 pigs kept within the community had T. solium cysticercosis, the results of immunoblotting demonstrated antibodies to the 8- and/or 26-kDa antigens of T. solium in 26 (35%). The pigs allowed to roam throughout the community were far more likely to have cysticercosis than those kept in pens (odds ratio = 42, with a 95% confidence interval of 5.05-920.2; P < 0.00001). Not surprisingly, the risk factors associated with human taeniasis and cysticercosis included the eating of infected pork and close proximity to a carrier of T. solium. The main risk factor identified for porcine cysticercosis was free-range husbandry, permitting access to human faeces. This is the first comprehensive report of taeniasis and cysticercosis in a rural population from the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.

Adolescent↗

Development of mammography and breast services in a community hospital.

The growth and development of mammography and related breast services in one community hospital are chronicled and described. With mammography providing the initial stimulus, substantial growth, diversification, and sophistication in diagnosis and treatment of breast disease have developed. The achievement of a cooperative and mutually supportive relationship among radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons committed to the goal of early detection of potentially curable breast cancer has succeeded in identifying increasing numbers of such lesions. The more frequent employment of breast-sparing surgical procedures and the encouraging survival rates in patients detected and treated for these early lesions represents an important contribution to the care of these women. Improvement in the detection of early breast cancer can be achieved by community radiologists, whether in private hospitals or office-based practices.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Screening for nephropathy and antiangiotensin use among diabetic patients in an academic community medical center.

The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening for albuminuria to detect early nephropathy in all patients with diabetes mellitus. If nephropathy is identified, treatment with an antiangiotensin agent decreases progression and improves renal outcomes. Concordance with guidelines for nephropathy screening and antiangiotensin therapy among diabetic patients in a primary care setting of an academic community medical center was evaluated. Medical charts of adult patients with diabetes mellitus from February 2000 through January 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. In part 1 of the study, whether patients were screened for nephropathy at least once was recorded. In part 2 of the study, antiangiotensin prescribing was assessed in all patients and in subgroups stratified by screening. In both parts of the study, patient characteristics and comorbidities were assessed using multivariate analysis to determine their impact on the odds that a patient was screened and that antiangiotensin therapy was prescribed. Among the 329 patients included, 182 patients (55.3%) were screened for nephropathy. Patients who were screened were younger (OR=0.83 for 10-year increase, 95% CI: 0.69-0.99), less likely to have congestive heart failure (OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.20-0.90), and more likely to be cared for by a resident physician directly supervised by an attending physician (OR=3.03; 95% CI: 1.82-5.03). A total of 215 patients (65.3%) were prescribed antiangiotensin therapy. Hypertension was a predictor of antiangiotensin therapy among all patients who were screened (OR=10.34, 95% CI: 4.45-24.01), those who were screened and negative (OR=15.46, 95% CI: 5.56-42.98), and those who were not screened (OR=10.79, 95% CI: 4.39-26.52). Among patients screened for nephropathy, coronary artery disease (OR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.05-8.63), and the presence of proteinuria (OR=4.26, 95% CI: 1.61-11.24) were predictors of antiangiotensin use. This study found that the likelihood of screening for nephropathy among diabetic patients was inversely associated with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and increasing age. Conversely, care by a resident physician directly supervised by an attending physician increased the odds that patients would be screened. A diagnosis of hypertension and the presence of albuminuria were each associated with increased use of an antiangiotensin agent.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Increase in native valve endocarditis caused by coagulase negative staphylococci: an Anglo-French clinical and microbiological study.

Native valve endocarditis caused by coagulase negative staphylococci has become more common. A study of 35 cases showed that the infections were usually acquired in the community and occurred in men (mean age 51 years). A pre-existing cardiac abnormality (mitral leaflet prolapse in a third of patients) was detected in 26 (74%). The source of the organisms in the community acquired infections was assumed to be the skin, though lesions were seldom demonstrated; most hospital acquired infections resulted from intravenous devices. Community acquired organisms were usually sensitive to penicillin, whereas those acquired in hospital were often multiresistant. Most infections were caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. The frequency of acute presentation (26%) and of major neurological abnormality (23%), together with the need for valve replacement (often emergency) (51%) and the mortality (36%) suggest that coagulase negative staphylococci can be virulent aggressive pathogens, mimicking Staphylococcus aureus.

Adult↗

Prevalence of personality disorders in community-living elderly.

There has been limited research on the prevalence of personality disorders in the aged. No studies have documented the extent of personality disorders in community-dwelling elderly with the use of a structured scale specifically designed to detect personality disorders and anchored to DSM-III-R criteria. One hundred male and 100 female community-living elderly (mean age, 72.1 years) were administered the Structured Interview for Disorders of Personality-Revised to compare prevalence rates for specific personality disorders with those of young adults (mean age, 41.7 years) and to identify demographic variables associated with personality disorders in the elderly. Results indicate a tendency toward fewer personality disorders in older than young adults, no differences in the frequency of personality disorders between male and female elderly, and significantly more prior mental health consultations in elderly with personality disorders than in elderly without these disorders. Aging processes and methodologic issues that could account for differences in personality disorder distribution between young and older adults are discussed. Recommendations for future research are outlined.

Aged↗

Laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Different techniques have been developed to aid in laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. The detection of serum antibodies, in particular, is relied on heavily by the medical community and is currently the most practical means of confirming B. burgdorferi infections. Although most assays may not detect low amounts of IgM antibody during the initial weeks of infection, application of a capture ELISA method has been reported to improve test sensitivity. Antibodies to Borrelia and Treponema spirochetes will cross-react in conventional assays being used for Lyme disease, but in most cases, these problems can be eliminated by performing other serologic tests or by reviewing clinical and epidemiologic data. Further improvements in the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease should be made by standardizing current methods (including commercial test kits), establishing reference laboratories in the United States and Europe, and by developing rapid antigen detection procedures. Finally, serologic determination of B. burgdorferi infections should remain secondary to clinical diagnosis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Diverse microbial communities inhabit Antarctic sponges.

Genetic techniques were employed to investigate the archaeal, bacterial and eukaryotic communities associated with the Antarctic sponges Kirkpatrickia varialosa, Latrunculia apicalis, Homaxinella balfourensis, Mycale acerata and Sphaerotylus antarcticus. The phylogenetic affiliation of sponge-derived bacteria was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cloned DNA fragments. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to determine the stability of bacterial associations within each sponge species and across spatial scales. Of the 150 archaeal clones from L. apicalis, K. varialosa and M. acerata screened by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, four unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed and all clustered closely together within the Crenarchaeota. Of the 250 sponge-derived bacterial clones screened by RFLP analysis, 61 were unique OTUs that were not detected during examination of 160 seawater-derived clones. Rarefaction analysis indicated that the clone libraries represented between 44 and 83% of the total estimated diversity. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data revealed that the bacterial communities present in Antarctic sponges primarily clustered within the Gamma and Alpha proteobacteria and the Cytophaga/Flavobacterium of Bacteroidetes group. Bacterial DGGE analysis for replicate sponge and seawater samples at each Antarctic site revealed that bacterial communities were consistently detected within a particular species regardless of the collection site, with six bacterial bands exclusively associated with a single sponge species. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data from eukaryotic DGGE analysis revealed that the communities present in Antarctic sponges fell into diatom and dinoflagellate clusters with many sequences having no known close relatives. In addition, seven eukaryotic sequences that were not detected in seawater samples or other sponge species were observed in K. varialosa.

Animals↗

Enteroviruses in recreational waters of Northern Ireland.

Virus surveillance of Northern Ireland recreational waters, between April 1986 and May 1989 demonstrated widespread enteroviral contamination of coastal and inland waters. In 1986, enteroviruses were detected in 4 of 46 (8.7%) water samples, collected from 6 coastal bathing waters. In 1987, 49 of 107 (45.8%) samples, from 16 coastal bathing waters, yielded enteroviruses; 33 of the enterovirus positive samples passed one or both of the coliform standards outlined by the European Economic Community (EEC) bathing water directive (76/160/EEC). Enteroviruses were also detected in 33 of 39 (84.6%) samples tested from 3 inland recreational waters.

Animals↗

Rapid diagnosis of bacteremic pneumococcal infections in adults by using the Binax NOW Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen test: a prospective, controlled clinical evaluation.

The diagnosis of severe pneumococcal infections is inadequate, relying heavily on culture of Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood or other normally sterile fluids, and is severely limited by prior administration of antibiotics. We evaluated prospectively the Binax NOW S. pneumoniae urinary antigen test, a rapid immunochromatographic assay, for the diagnosis of bacteremic pneumococcal infections in hospitalized adult patients. Antigen was detected in 88 of 107 cases overall, resulting in a test sensitivity of 82% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 74 to 89%). Antigen detection was greater in those with pneumonia (67 of 77 [87%]) than in those without pneumonia (21 of 30 [70%]) (P = 0.04). Urinary antigen was also detected in 3 of 106 adult patients with community-acquired septicemic infections caused by other organisms, giving a test specificity of 97% (95% CI, 92 to 99%). For 45 pneumococcal bacteremia patients with a positive test on treatment day 1, urinary antigen excretion was monitored for the first week of antibiotic treatment. Antigen was still detectable in 83% (29 of 35 tested; 95% CI, 66 to 93%) on treatment day 3. Detection of urinary antigen is a valuable, sensitive, and rapid test for the early diagnosis of bacteremic pneumococcal infections in adult patients, even after antibiotic treatment has commenced.

Adolescent↗

Psychological consequences of screening mammography.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the psychological consequences at a number of stages in the screening process for women attending a screening mammography programme. SETTING: A pilot mammographic screening programme in Melbourne, Australia. METHOD: The psychological consequences questionnaire (PCQ; a reliable and valid measure of the psychological consequences of screening mammography) was used to measure the emotional, social, and physical functioning of women in a mammographic screening programme and a control community sample. A screening group (in whom no abnormality was detected at initial screen; n = 142) had four measurements: at screening clinic; before results were received; one week after all-clear results were received; and eight months after initial visit. The recall group (who were recalled for further investigation which showed the detected abnormality to be benign; n = 58) had measurements at the same points as the screening group and an additional measurement while waiting at the recall assessment clinic. A randomly selected community control group (n = 52) had measurements one week, two weeks, three weeks, and eight months after consenting to participate. RESULTS: Emotional, social, and physical functioning of women in the screening group did not change over time and at no point differed significantly from that of community controls. The profiles of emotional and physical dysfunction of women in the recall group differed significantly from those of the screening and control groups. The level of emotional and physical dysfunction in the recall group was highest while waiting at recall assessment clinic, and scores were still significantly higher than scores obtained at comparable times from screening and control groups one week after obtaining notification that there was no sign of cancer (emotional P < 0.001; physical P < 0.05). This difference had disappeared eight months after the screening visit, when the level of emotional and physical functioning was similar to that of the screening and control groups. Social dysfunction scores did not change significantly over time and were similar for all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Given that up to 10% of women are recalled for further investigations on first round screening, significant numbers of women may have psychological consequences. This speaks for the necessity for accurate reading of mammograms to minimise the false positive recall rate, and for counselling services to be available at recall assessment centres.

Attitude to Health↗

Application of models of working at the interface between primary care and mental health services in Israel.

Psychiatric morbidity is common in primary care, a large proportion being treated without specialist referral. A significant proportion may be undetected or inadequately treated. This article describes current models of mental health services (MHS) working at the interface between primary care and MHS with review of data regarding these models and discussion of the application of these models to the Israeli health system. The shifted out-patient model, primarily provided by psychiatrists independent of the Primary and Secondary Care Teams, would seem to increase access to psychiatric services, increase treated prevalence of the disorders and attract a similar population to hospital out-patient services. The psychiatric community liaison model aims to improve primary care practitioner detection and management skills, might reduce referrals to psychiatrists with similar patient outcome and enables treatment of patients unwilling to see a mental health professional (MHP). The attached MHP Model would allow access to a greater range of psychosocial interventions provided by a primary care team member. The community mental health team, currently a model not in practise in Israel, provides a single point of referral for multidisciplinary care but has shown varying patterns of integration and responsiveness to primary care. Other interfaces of collaboration such as Balint groups and education are also discussed.

Forecasting↗

Expedited detection of drug resistance in tuberculosis patients.

The increase in disease-causing organisms resistant to standard drug therapy has captured the attention of the medical community and the lay press. Drug resistance in rapidly growing bacteria can be detected within a short period. However, in the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, detection may take weeks. This paper examines the current methods available to determine drug susceptibility in M tuberculosis. These laboratory methods can be used as a model to assist the clinician in making rational decisions when managing patients with potentially resistant bacterial infections.

Agar↗

A model for early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary health care.

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of conducting a case-finding programme for Type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary health care and to see whether random urinary glucose or random capillary blood glucose testing is the most suitable instrument for the early detection of Type 2 diabetes. Residents in the community of Låxa aged 35-64 years were subjected to testing during 1983-1987; those aged 65-79 were included from July 1985 and onwards. The urinary glucose testing was considered positive if a urinary dipstick was not unequivocally negative. The random blood glucose test was regarded as positive when > or = 8.0 mmol l-1. A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes made within a follow-up period of 3 years from the initial examination was regarded as a positive outcome. Random blood glucose testing was performed on 3268 persons which was close to 85% of the eligible population. Urinary glucose tests were missing in 67 subjects. The random blood glucose test was positive in 220 persons and the urinalysis in 42 persons. A total of 234 individuals had a positive test, out of which 66 new diabetic cases were found. Sixty-four of these were detected by the random blood glucose testing and 20 by the urinalysis. The sensitivity for the random blood glucose and urinary glucose testing was 73 and 23%, the specificity was 95 and 99%, the positive predictive value 29 and 48%, and the negative predictive value 99 and 98%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Detection of a novel variant bla(CTX-M-3) extended spectrum beta-lactamase gene in a community-acquired Escherichia coli isolate.

A highly cefotaxime- and cefepime-resistant but ceftazidime-sensitive Escherichia coli isolate was recovered from a community-acquired urinary infection of a Greek patient. Susceptibility testing, transfer assays, plasmid analysis as well as PCR and sequencing techniques were used to investigate the underlying mechanism of resistance. The isolate carried a new variant of the bla(CTX-M-3) gene that possessed a T instead of A at nt position 663. Cefotaxime resistance was transferable and carried on a 60 kb plasmid. The bla(CTX-M-3) variant was located downstream of an ISEcp1B element. The emergence of this new derivative indicates further evolution of the worldwide-distributed bla(CTX-M-3) gene.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Measuring depression in women around menopausal age: towards a validation of the Edinburgh Depression Scale.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between menopause and depression is still rather unclear. Studies using different methodology - especially those lacking a clear definition of depression - are hardly comparable. Since the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) is not influenced by (menopause-related) somatic symptoms, the validity of the Dutch version of this instrument was investigated in a large community sample of menopausal women. METHODS: In 951 women, aged between 47 and 56 years, depressive symptomatology was measured using the EDS, together with a syndromal diagnosis of depression using Research Diagnostic Criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the subjects had scores of 12 or higher on the EDS. With this cut-off point, depression (major or minor) was detected with a sensitivity of 66%, a specificity of 89%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 62%. A cut-off score of 15 or higher detected half of the women with major depression (sensitivity 73%, specificity 93%, PPV 53%). LIMITATIONS: Screening of depressive symptomatology at menopausal age in women of the community can only partly detect women with clinical depression. The relation between menopausal status and depression should preferentially be investigated using a longitudinal rather than a cross-sectional design. CONCLUSIONS: The EDS, which is easy to implement in both community and clinical settings (e.g., General Practice), might be used as an effective screening tool for detecting women at menopausal age who are at risk for depression, followed by clinical evaluation in those with high scores.

Depressive Disorder↗

Changes in microbial community composition and function during a polyaromatic hydrocarbon phytoremediation field trial.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which phytoremediation systems promote hydrocarbon degradation in soil. The composition and degradation capacity of the bulk soil microbial community during the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with aged hydrocarbons was assessed. In the bulk soil, the level of catabolic genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation (ndoB, alkB, and xylE) as well as the mineralization of hexadecane and phenanthrene was higher in planted treatment cells than in treatment cells with no plants. There was no detectable shift in the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) composition of the bulk soil community between treatments, but there were plant-specific and -selective effects on specific catabolic gene prevalence. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) increased the prevalence of ndoB, alkB, and xylE as well as naphthalene mineralization in rhizosphere soil compared to that in bulk soil. In contrast, Rose Clover (Trifolium hirtum) decreased catabolic gene prevalence and naphthalene mineralization in rhizosphere soil. The results demonstrated that phytoremediation systems increase the catabolic potential of rhizosphere soil by altering the functional composition of the microbial community. This change in composition was not detectable by 16S rDNA but was linked to specific functional genotypes with relevance to petroleum hydrocarbon degradation.

Bacteria↗